Chapter 490: Face to Face
The first to land was Victor, the Justice Hero. He didn’t bother using mana to slow his descent, slamming into the ground with bone-jarring force just twenty feet away. I instinctively raised my arms, shielding my face, as the impact cratered the earth and sent fragments flying like shrapnel. They clattered harmlessly against my wards, but the sheer force of the impact made me flinch.
Victor stood tall in his gleaming silver and blue armor, surrounded by several of his Justice Armaments, including the translucent shield, sword, and spear. His helmet was open, revealing smoldering eyes and a face set in a grim scowl. One of his arms was tucked close to his chest, protecting the stump where his hand should have been. A shaped piece of steel covered the wound, but I remembered the gruesome sight of Kahlen severing it.
A silver streak followed Victor down, landing more gracefully, though still with a heavy thud. My heart sank, tail twisting anxiously, as I locked eyes with the girl within the silver aura. My hands instinctively tightened around my staff, and I shifted closer to Korra, seeking a sense of security.
Verity, the Fate Hero, was just as beautiful as she’d been in my visions. Her long silver hair mirrored her eyes, both flecked with shimmering starlight. She was taller than me by an inch or so, with alluring curves and an enviable figure. She exuded grace and confidence that belied her soul, which was only in the late stages of the sixth level. She held a thin, graceful longsword in her left hand, and was clothed in light, revealing armor. Her lips twisted in a frown as she gazed at me, eyes filled with reproach.
The last to arrive was R’lissea, who floated down gently, enveloped in a mist of green life magic. She clutched her gnarled oak staff tightly, biting her lip as she looked between our two groups. She wore a soft green dress that seemed woven of leaves and flowers, hugging her bosom and waist before flowing down loosely about her feet.
"It’s been a while," Korra said conversationally, her gaze sweeping over the three heroes. She didn’t appear impressed, however, and folded her arms, letting her gaze linger purposefully on Victor’s stump. "What happened to the hand?"
The Justice Hero’s chiseled face hardened, his remaining hand clenching into a fist. "Korra. I see your days among traitors have treated you well."
"Better than you, at least," Korra retorted, a smirk playing on her lips.
"Victor, Korra," R’lissea pleaded, her hands clasped together, "Please, do we have to—"